Jack nodded, always one to quickly forgive. “Did ye bring me anythin’?”
Ceana bit her bottom lip. In truth, she had forgotten, but she couldn’t tell Jack so. She reached into her little purse and brought out a tiny coin. It would be the first time she would be giving Jack money rather than food.
“Thank ye!” Jack squealed and rushed in for another hug. He was about to run away when Ceana pulled him back.
“Nae so fast, ye,” she said to him. “I want yer word that ye will buy food from the sellers- not sweets.”
Jack sighed and looked at her with his big eyes. “I promise.”
“There’s a good lad. Bye!”
Jack ran off, holding his coin tightly.
“Ye do ken that he could deceive ye, aye?”
Ceana turned smack into Torcall.
Happiness welled up in her, and the small smile on her face grew wider.
“We have an arrangement,” she told Torcall. “I trust the lad.”
“Ye trust too easily,” he told her.
“Maybe!” she jutted her chin out. “It was just a coin.”
Torcall shrugged. There was a hooded look in his eyes that Ceana found attractive.
Shyly, she looked away. “Ye weren’t at Bridget’s funeral today.”
“Were ye expectin’ me?”
“Aye.”
“I’m sorry. I do nae do well with funerals.”
Ceana nodded. It was easy to understand.
“Where are ye headed?”
“Nowhere,” she said quickly. “I needed a stroll.”
“Ye should nae be out alone.”
“‘Tis daylight. I am safe.”
Torcall shook his head but said nothing more. However, he took her hand and steered her in the opposite direction-the way to her house.
“‘Tis a pretty dress ye have on,” Torcall complimented. “I didnae want to say anythin’ before but ‘twould be a shame if I do nae tell ye.”
Ceana blushed visibly. “Thank ye.”
“How is yer sister? Alina?”
Ceana sighed. “She is nae doing well. I worry for her. She needed me to be strong for her at the funeral, but I couldnae.”
“But ye were there, and ye held her hand, aye?”
Ceana nodded. “Aye.”
